English Reference
Noun

countryman

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈkəntɹimən/ UK /kˈʌntɹɪmən/ coun·try·man

n.a person who comes from the same country as you. It is an old-fashioned word that people use to show they are proud of their home.

n.a person who belongs to the same nation or country. Often carries a connotation of regional pride or a sense of shared cultural identity.


SIMPLE

He greeted every countryman he met with a smile.

CONTEXTUAL

The local shop owner treated every countryman who visited the village with great hospitality.

COMPLEX

While the term is less common in modern political discourse, many older residents still refer to their fellow countrymen with a sense of deep-seated loyalty to the land.

Photograph: Amr Alfiky/Reuters The 2022 Wimbledon finalist also forfeited the 6,570 euros he won in Mallorca for losing in the first round to countryman Adam Walton.

The Guardian· 4 Sept 2026

Allan’s arrival will clear the way for the sale of his countryman Savinho to Tottenham for £75m plus £10m.

The Guardian· 24 Aug 2026

From country + -man.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated